Last Monday was Earth Day. But just because it has come and gone, donít let that stop you from caring about the environment. Instead, consider April 22 as a yearly reminder of the importance of making eco-friendly choices.

For those of you who missed the local Earth Day parties, here are a few ways you can go green at home:

1. Visit your local nursery or any stores that carry plants and trees, and pick out something that might add something special to your landscape.

2. Look around the house and start making the switch from incandescent bulbs to energy-efficient lighting alternatives such as 3M LED Advanced Light. These, according to 3M, light up a room beautifully and last for 25 years. These also use one-quarter of the energy sucked up by incandescent light bulbs. No biggie? Surprisingly, it will end up saving you hundreds on your energy bills. When theyíre ready to toss, there is no need for special disposal as they contain no mercury.

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3. If you got a nice little check from the IRS, instead of buying something new, consider something old that you can redo. Habitat for Humanityís ReStore carries a huge variety of home furnishings that can be transformed - with a little paint or polish - into something like new. Not only are the items priced right, but every purchase helps support Habitatís mission of providing decent housing to people in need. How about a granite vanity countertop for $100? The ReStore is currently stocked with granite countertops in a variety of colors. If it is recycled materials that youíre shopping for, look for furniture made from reclaimed wood, carpets assembled from recycled plastic, flooring made from sustainable resources like cork and bamboo, and wallpaper created from managed timber sources.

4. Replace leaky faucet in the home. You would be surprised at the amount of water that is wasted by drips. You might also consider replacing existing plumbing products with something more efficient. The Environmental Protection Agency says that products with the WaterSense or EnergyStar labels are designed to cut down on your water usage, which is good for you (low water bills) and the environment. By replacing your showerhead, you could save 2,900 gallons of water a year. A new toilet? It can save you 13,000 gallons of water a year.

5. Not everything is about saving money and energy. Going green is also good for the familyís health. Instead of using products known to be toxic, look for eco-friendly cleaners and detergents. Sure, there are some products that claim to be green, and the bottle theyíre packaged in could be green, but theyíre useless when it comes to doing the job. Look for reviews on brands that are safe and do the job.

Gina Joseph is a reporter and columnist for The Macomb Daily. Send comments to gina.joseph@macombdaily.com, follow her on twitter @ginaljoseph and visit her beat blog at macomblife.blogspot.com.